Government bins 'sell-by' dates to reduce food waste

The "sell-by" date on food packaging is to be removed in a bid to cut the £12bn worth of food needlessly binned every year.

Packaging should only carry "use by" or "best before" dates, according to new government guidance, while "sell by" and "display until" labels currently used by supermarkets will be removed to deter shoppers from throwing away good food.

"Use by" labels should only be used if food could be unsafe to eat after that date, while "best before" dates should show the product is no longer at its best but is still safe to consume, the advice states.

Foods likely to require a "use by" date include soft cheese, smoked fish and ready meals, while biscuits, jams, pickles, crisps and tinned foods will only need a "best before" label.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs produced the guidance in consultation with the food industry, consumer groups, regulators, and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap).

According to Wrap, 5.3m tonnes of still-edible food is thrown away each year, costing the average family £680 a year – or more than £50 a month. Research shows confusing food labelling is a significant factor.

Caroline Spelman, the environment secretary, said: "We want to end the food labelling confusion and make it clear once and for all when food is good and safe to eat."

Liz Redmond, head of hygiene and microbiology at the Food Standards Agency (FSA), said: "This new guidance will give greater clarity to the food industry on which date mark should be used on their products while maintaining consumer protection."